A long-ish update

I just bought another half hour's worth of internet time, so this will be a reasonably long update. It's been almost a week

Monday we were kicked out of the hostel (well, we left) and I teamed up with another guy from my group in finding a new place to stay. I had called around a little and most hostels anywhere near the city were booked solid over the week-end due to the Mardi Gras. But at last I found a hostel in Dulwich Hill. It was cheap and the Lonely Planet (which is rapidly turning into a great source of information) recommended it. So off we went, taking the train. Fifteen minutes it took, but the environment changed drastically. Suddenly we were in a suburb of Sydney with nothing at all to do except drink coffee at a small cafe. The hostel looked okay, but as soon as we heard that we had to provide our own sheets (meaning we both would have to go back into the city and buy a pair), we packed up and left. While having a coffee at aforementioned cafe, I made a few calls. A place on Manly was prepared to take us, so up we went. No problems here and until today we stayed at the Bunkhouse. Most of its guests had a steady job (as far as that's possible as a traveller) and had been in the same place for quite a while. They didn't do much besides working, sleeping, eating and being completely dead in front of the TV. It wasn't exactly... vibrant. But it was an okay hostel and the two Germans in my room were great. And yes, I spoke German with them. Manly Beach was quite nice, though we couldn't swim because of the current. And yes, I got sunburned. Just my left shoulder, but still, it's quite red. That's the Aussie sun for ya.

Friday was the day of the Blue Mountains Tour, which I had arranged before leaving home. We were put in a stinkin' bus (literally) by a bloke named Bill, who immediately conjured up images of Crocodile Dundee, including the hat with crocodile teeth in it. The Blue Mountains were quite beautiful. Large parts of it is rainforest, so that's definitely a plus for me. Lots of vegetation, waterfalls (and dripping water), birds singing in the background... loved it. I have quite a few nice pictures, of which I uploaded a couple. Check them out. We walked up and down the mountain quite a bit, which was great. Got to break in my walking shoes. Oh, and I got to see my very first kangaroos (yay!) that day. It's one of the must-see things when you're in Oz, of course. The best thing must have been the dreamtime story of the Three Sisters (a rock formation) Bill told us. I do love that stuff and being there while listening to the story added an almost magical touch to it, you could say.

Yesterday (Saturday) was Mardi Gras. Of course I couldn't not go, so I took the ferry to the mainland and posted near the start of the parade quite early. Too early, since I waited for two hours before the damn thing actually started. By that time I was tired and hungry. But I was there, so I was happy!
To be fair though, it was not what I had expected. Maybe that was because I was tired and hungry, but after the fiftieth group, I felt like I had seen them all. There were groups for everything: different religions, the Middle East, high school students, San Fransisco, gyms, Dykes on Bikes, IKEA (oh yes), banks, ex-addicts and all sorts you could think of. I missed one group, the one I really would have liked to see. Teachers. No GLBT teachers in the entire parade. It was colourful, cheerful and gay though, so I am not complaining. I just should have realised it took a while and I should have eaten beforehand. I didn't go out afterwards, since the last ferry left at a quarter to twelve. So I had to get back relatively early. Ah well, I will check out Australia's pink nightlife at a later date, I'm sure of it.

So, today. It's Sunday and I'm at a new hostel: the YHA Railway Station. Built in an old railway station building, with carriages converted into dorm rooms (are you listening Raymond?). Quite like it. I'm only here for tonight though. Tomorrow, Joren (the 'other' Dutch bloke) is leaving for surf camp and I will be on my own from then. I will find a different hostel in the area, but only for a few nights. It is time to go to greener pastures. First up is Canberra, where I will spend a day or two. After that: Melbourne, where I will wait until St. Paddy's/March 17th (they have an actual Irish Festival with live music there!) before leaving for Mildura. That's the plan for the coming few weeks. I'll provide updates from the road, as usual